The Ruby pistol was a 'procurement nightmare' that armed French troops in WWI
Here's my article on the Spanish-built and French-issued Ruby pistol from WWI from my Michigan Firearms Examiner column.
These are interesting little guns that turn up now and again. The history behind these pieces speaks to the desperation France felt in 1915.
The Ruby pistol was a 'procurement nightmare' that armed French troops in WWI
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"Ruby" Pistol with Post WWI French Upgrade
Found another "Ruby" type pistol with the added "safety bump" which was added by the French after the Great War. This slide mounted domed rivet was supposed to keep the edge of the holster from rotating the safety downward to the "off" position during pistol insertion.
This example is RETOLAZA marked and has the oval RH on both the frame and it's matching magazine. It also has the acceptance star markings near the magazine release. Interesting to note that the slide's LH top line reads:
"765 1914 MODEL AUTOMATIC PISTOL"
No holster or spare magazine, but it's bore is in excellent shape, so it'll likely get a range outing.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0939feed-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4a69f10e-1.jpg
Here's a link to the excellent Milsurps' Knowledge Library entry:
Pistolet Automatique de 7 millimètre 65 genre (Ruby)
Hard to imagine this little pistol is pushing 100 years old!
ETA: Adding a photo of the French acceptance markings on either side of the magazine release: